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SCSO Releases Statement on Tenaha ISD Bomb Threat

April 20, 2017 - Shelby County Sheriff Willis Blackwell reports that on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at approximately 1216 P.M., the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call advising that a black male subject was at the Tenaha ISD and was armed with a gun and would not leave. The caller additionally stated that the black male subject threatened to blow up the school. Law Enforcement official responded to Tenaha ISD to assist Tenaha ISD Chief David Jeter with the situation, which included Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, Tenaha City Marshal’s Office, Tenaha Pct 4 Constable Jake Metcalf, Timpson Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, and the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.

After further investigation, it was revealed that there was no threat to the faculty and/or student body of Tenaha ISD. It was rather another hoax call that solicited attention to cause panic. We treat every call, especially of this magnitude with great concern. Our office and the District Attorney’s office worked to get the information on the cellular device that was used and drew up a Grand Jury Subpoena for records. The number was linked back to a student at Tenaha ISD. Lieutenant Kevin W. Windham and Chief Deputy DJ Dickerson met with Tenaha ISD Chief David Jeter and Superintendent Scott Tyner regarding this investigation. In working together, a suspect was positively identified and the phone used to initiate the hoax call was located and seized for evidence. The juvenile suspect was released to family pending an appointment with Shelby County Juvenile Probation Officers. The family has cooperated fully throughout this investigation.

We extend our gratitude to all those who assisted in this investigation.